Articles tagged with Asthma
A study of over 3,000 adults with asthma found that obese patients are more likely to have severe asthma and experience increased healthcare utilization. The researchers also noted that obese patients were less likely to be in asthma remission compared to non-overweight patients.
A new study published at the American Thoracic Society Meeting found that bronchial thermoplasty improved pulmonary function, asthma control, and quality of life in severe asthma patients. After one year, 50% of patients were able to completely wean off oral corticosteroids, with significant improvements in medication use.
A new study of 914 children with mild to moderate asthma found that consistent inhaled steroid use was associated with a 20% lower likelihood of well-controlled asthma. The study suggests genetic factors may play a role in non-response to steroids, highlighting the need for personalized treatment approaches.
A new study published by the American Thoracic Society found that obese adults are more likely to experience persistent or severe asthma compared to their thinner counterparts. The study analyzed data from 3,059 adults with asthma and found a significant association between obesity and increased risk of asthma severity.
Two studies demonstrated SYMBICORT's effectiveness in improving health-related quality of life (HRQL) and patient-reported satisfaction with asthma treatment. The combination therapy showed significant improvements in HRQL scores compared to monocomponents or placebo, while also demonstrating better patient-reported global assessments.
The company has completed enrollment in its pivotal FDA-approved IDE study, the Asthma Intervention Research 2 (AIR2) Trial, which aims to establish the safety and efficacy of the Alair Bronchial Thermoplasty System. The trial has nearly 300 patients enrolled at over 30 medical centers worldwide.
Researchers have developed an electronic nose that can detect the presence of asthma by analyzing volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath. The device was able to identify asthmatic patients, but showed less accuracy in determining disease severity.
A recent study by the Mailman School of Public Health found a possible link between cigarette use and the rise in childhood asthma cases. Cigarette smoke exposure is thought to contribute to the increasing prevalence of asthma among children, particularly those from low-income backgrounds.
National Jewish researchers present groundbreaking findings on asthma perception, air pollution effects, obesity resistance to medication, and salmeterol risk. They also discover household bleach can neutralize allergens, improving patient responses.
A new study found that children of mothers who ate the most apples were less likely to develop asthma or allergies. Fish consumption also showed a protective effect against eczema in children. The researchers suggest that specific nutrients like flavonoids and omega-3 fatty acids may be responsible for these effects.
Researchers found that patients with well-controlled mild asthma on twice-daily inhaled steroids can safely reduce inhaler use to once a day or switch to daily pills. The study involved 500 children and adults with mild persistent asthma.
Researchers discovered that nitric oxide and its derivatives, SNOs, control the functionality of beta adrenergic receptors in heart failure and asthma. The study found that these receptors can become desensitized over time, leading to reduced medication efficacy.
A web-based asthma program for low-income black high school students significantly improved symptoms, missed school days, and hospitalizations. The 'Puff City' program focused on controller medication adherence, rescue inhaler availability, and smoking cessation.
A new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health finds a strong association between domestic violence and asthma, with women who experienced domestic violence having a 37% increased risk of asthma. Household exposure to domestic violence also raises the risk of reported asthma in children and adult men.
A recent study found that a virulent strain of H. pylori may help protect children from developing asthma, with those carrying the strain being 40% less likely to have had asthma before age 15. The microbe was also associated with protection against ragweed and other allergies in younger adults.
A study found that poor urban asthmatic children are more likely to seek emergency care for asthma than their affluent peers. The main reasons include parents' feelings of panic and anxiety about their child's symptoms, previous outpatient visits, and a belief that emergency care provides faster treatment.
UCSF scientists have discovered that chitin triggers an allergic inflammatory response in the lungs of mice, leading to increased production of the anti-chitin enzyme. The researchers suggest that people with less-effective versions of this enzyme may be more prone to asthma due to their inability to control exposure to inhaled chitin.
Research at University of Virginia Children's Hospital found that children with asthma are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, behavioral problems, and learning disabilities.
Researchers analyzed data from 397 adults and children, finding that most asthma flare-ups led to step-up in medication doses. Fewer patients experienced step-down therapy changes when symptoms subsided, highlighting the need for more flexible treatment approaches for asthma patients.
Research published in Thorax found that mothers who ate apples during pregnancy had children with a significantly reduced risk of developing asthma and childhood wheezing. Other healthy foods, such as fish, did not show the same protective effect. The study suggests an apple-specific effect due to its phytochemical content.
Research published in Thorax found that a Mediterranean diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and nuts protects against allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms among children. The study analyzed dietary habits, respiratory symptoms, and allergic reactions of over 700 children living on the Greek island of Crete.
Overweight and obese individuals are at a 50% increased risk of developing asthma, with targeted interventions potentially reducing incidence. Obesity contributes to various respiratory issues, including reduced lung function and increased oxygen cost of breathing.
A new asthma inhaler propellant is safe and effective, but its higher cost will significantly impact consumers and healthcare systems. The switch from chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) to hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) propellant may lead to increased costs for patients with prescription benefit plans, as well as co-pays.
A new report published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that bronchial thermoplasty significantly improves asthma control, reducing symptoms and medication use. The procedure, which reduces airway smooth muscle, demonstrates promising results for patients with moderate or severe asthma.
Only 20% of children with persistent asthma have optimal control, according to a survey-based study published in Ambulatory Pediatrics. The study found that 43% of children receiving medications still experienced poor symptom control, highlighting the need for improved education and trigger avoidance strategies.
The prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases has significantly increased in Ghana between 1993 and 2003. According to a study, the prevalence of exercise-induced bronchospasm and atopy doubled over this period, posing concerns for public health in West Africa.
A new study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases suggests that rhinoviruses, a common cause of the common cold, are associated with hospitalizations for fever and respiratory illnesses in young children. Children with asthma or a history of wheezing have a higher risk of hospitalization due to rhinovirus infection.
A study found that montelukast treatment in children with intermittent asthma reduced symptoms by 14%, hospital visits by 29%, and parent time off work by 33%. The medication also resulted in a savings of $96 per treated episode.
A new study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that inhaled corticosteroids are the most effective initial daily therapy for children with mild to moderate persistent asthma. The study also showed no significant adverse growth effects among any of the medicines studied.
Researchers at UCSD found fibrosis and remodeling in pediatric EE patients similar to airway remodeling in asthma. These changes increase blood vessel adhesion molecules, leading to inflammation in the esophagus.
A large randomized controlled trial found that taking low-dose aspirin every other day can reduce the risk of newly diagnosed adult-onset asthma by 22 percent. The study, published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, involved over 22,000 healthy male physicians aged 40 to 84 years.
Researchers found that Florida red tide toxins can impact respiratory function and increase respiratory symptoms in patients with asthma. The study suggests that coastal residents may react less to the toxins due to prior environmental exposure.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that only 20% of inner-city children with chronic asthma receive the recommended daily controller medication to control flare-ups. This leads to over-reliance on fast-acting rescue drugs, increasing complications and risk of death.
Researchers at USC discovered that children without asthma suffered from severe symptoms during the 2003 Southern California wildfires. The study found that wearing masks and staying indoors reduced health problems, suggesting simple protective measures can mitigate effects of wildfire smoke.
Researchers have identified eosinophils as a major contributor to asthma symptoms, finding that they play a crucial role in mucous production and airway obstruction. The study suggests that targeting eosinophils could lead to the development of new treatments for asthma, which affects an estimated 17 million people in the US.
New research suggests that beta-agonist medications used in asthma treatment can increase type 2 T cell accumulation, potentially worsening related diseases. The study's findings highlight the need for anti-inflammatory corticosteroids in moderate to severe asthma treatment.
Children who smoke cigarettes have nearly four times the risk of developing asthma in their teens, and those exposed to cigarette smoke in utero face an even higher risk. The study draws on data from the Children's Health Study, a longitudinal study of respiratory health among children in southern California communities.
Adolescents who smoke regularly have a significantly increased risk of developing asthma, with a four-fold increase in risk for those who smoked 300 or more cigarettes per year. The study found that exposure to cigarette smoke in the womb and later smoking habits also significantly raised the risk of asthma.
Researchers found that obstructive lung disease patients received only about half of the recommended medical care, with significant variations between asthma and COPD patients. The study estimates that improving care could save lives, such as by increasing oxygen treatment for COPD patients and steroid treatment for asthmatic patients.
Research suggests that asthma diagnosis may be overdiagnosed in obese patients, while inadequate workplace safety education is linked to an increased incidence of occupational asthma. Additionally, a study finds that diabetes increases the prevalence of asthma, and heart murmurs are more common in women.
Researchers have found that measured doses of ultraviolet light can significantly reduce the development of asthma-like symptoms in mice. Exposure to UV light before allergen exposure also produces a cell type that can prevent some asthma symptoms when transferred into other mice.
A large safety study found that the flu vaccine is not associated with an increased risk of serious conditions in young children. The study analyzed data on over 45,000 children who received the trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine between 1991 and 2003.
Researchers found that patients with symptomatic moderate asthma treated with anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha experienced significantly fewer disease exacerbations than those on placebo. The study also showed a significant decrease in diurnal variation in peak expiratory flow rate.
A new study published in Environmental Health Perspectives found that dogs in the home can increase cough, phlegm production, and bronchitis responses in children with asthma. The researchers speculate that endotoxin from dog dander may be the cause of this increased response.
A recent editorial in The Lancet suggests that asthma may not be a single disease entity but rather a collection of symptoms with varying triggers and responses. This conclusion is based on the lack of understanding about what triggers inflammation in the airways, leading to the condition.
The study found that childhood allergy prevalence increased globally, with higher rates in Asia-Pacific and India. The prevalence of eczema was highest in young children, while hayfever showed increases across both age groups.
A study published in The Lancet found that children with persistent wheezing and allergies are at higher risk of developing lung function loss and asthma. Exposure to high levels of allergens also contributes to the development of asthma.
Researchers found that using budesonide-formoterol as a reliever therapy significantly reduced the risk of severe asthma attacks in patients already on a preventive drug combination. This approach may lead to fewer hospitalizations and improved patient outcomes.
University of Iowa experts are warning that a commonly prescribed asthma medication combination can be deadly for certain patients. The long-acting asthma drug salmeterol used in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid can worsen asthma symptoms for those who do not need the combination, leading to life-threatening problems.
Researchers found that young women with asthma are twice as likely to experience symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea compared to those without asthma. Habitual snoring was reported by about 21% of these patients, highlighting the importance of identifying high-risk groups.
Puerto Rican children with asthma make more outpatient clinic visits but spend less time hospitalized compared to African-American children with similar disease severity. Cultural differences in perceptions of medical care may play a role in these disparities.
Research found a strong association between indoor swimming pool availability and childhood asthma rates across Europe. The study of 190,000 young teenagers from 21 countries showed a 2-3% rise in wheezing and asthma for every indoor pool per 100,000 population.
COPD and asthma are major economic burdens on Swedish society, with annual costs totaling SEK 9.1 billion and SEK 3.7 billion respectively. These lung diseases significantly degrade quality of life, especially severe cases of COPD and asthma.
Quitting smoking significantly improves lung function test scores in asthmatics, even after just one week of no cigarettes. The study found a notable increase in lung function improvements compared to high-dose anti-inflammatory treatment.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that a fatty acid binding protein called aP2 plays a crucial role in controlling inflammation in asthma. The research suggests that blocking aP2 function may be a novel approach for asthma treatment and other inflammatory lung diseases.
Australian researchers identified a new protein in human airway epithelial cells that regulates allergic airway inflammation. A study suggests the protein aP2 plays an essential role in both type 2 diabetes and allergic airway diseases like asthma.
The study reveals that protein aP2 is present in human epithelial cells lining the airways and its expression is increased by interleukin-4 and -13. Mice lacking aP2 exhibit reduced airway inflammation, highlighting the importance of lipids in inflammation and metabolism.
A literature review provides evidence-based recommendations on treating severe asthma exacerbations with oral corticosteroids and questioning the practice of doubling ICS doses. The review also explores increasing ICS to high doses as an alternative to OCS.
Researchers found that laboratory animal workers who handled more than 50 rats per day had a two-fold reduction in the risk of developing work-related chest symptoms. This suggests that exposure to laboratory animals can lead to natural immunity, as indicated by high IgG4-IgE antibody ratios.
A $5 million grant will establish an Asthma and Allergic Diseases Cooperative Research Center at Indiana University School of Medicine. Researchers aim to identify diagnostic biological markers for eczema and asthma, leading to better treatment and prevention strategies.